Wire-stretcher



No. 620,971- Patented Mar. i4, I899.

' H. A. noamsom WIRE S'TBETGHERK (Application filed 0 0 898 J (NoModel.)

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HARRY A. ROBINSON, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESN E ASSIGN-MENTS, TO THE AMERICAN STEEL AND WIRE COMPANY, OF ILLINOIS.

WIRE-STRETCH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 620,971, dated March14, 1899. pplication filed October 10, 1898. gerial No. 693,115. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY A. ROBINSON, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of Evanston, county of Cook, and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire orWire- Fence Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, andwhich are fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings,forminga partthereof.

The objects of the invention are to provide a cheap and efficient devicefor stretching wire and wire fencing; and these objects are attained inthe construction hereinafter fully described and which is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of thestretcher in service, and Figs. 2 and 3 are detail sectional views ofthe clutch mechanism.

Two reciprocating clutch-blocks A Rare mounted upon a pull-rod O in suchmanner as to alternately engage the same. The forward or holding block Ais provided with a loop or other suitable device a, to which there isattached a chain or cable D, adapted for engagement with a post at orother fixed object. The pull-rod C is provided at its rearward end witha hook or loop 0, to which may be attached a gripping device, as E, ofany desired construction, which is adapted to engage or grip the wire orfence selvage e.

The hand-lever F, by means of which power is applied, is bifurcated, soas to inclose the clutch-block A, to which it is pivotally secured at ff. A rigid link G connects the lever F with the clutch-block B, theattachment of the link to the lever and to the clutchblock being out ofalinement with the axes of the apertures of the two clutch-blocks. Theclutch-block B is provided with a shoulder or with shoulders 1), adaptedto contact with the link-bar G when the clutch-block assumes a positionperpendicular to the axis of therod 0, thereby preventing theclutch-block from being tilted in its backward movement, so as to biteupon the rod.

The operation of the device is as follows: The chain D having beensecured to a fixed object, such as the post d, and the gripperE havingbeen attached to the wire or to the selvage of the fence to be stretchedand the latter having been drawn up taut, so that its backward pull willcause the tilting of the clutch-block A and a consequent grip of thelatter upon the rod 0, the lever F is thrown backwardly, the rigidlink-bar G releasing the bite of the clutch-block B upon the rod C-andcausing it to slide backwardly, and the shoulders I) preventing thisblock from being tilted in the opposite direction, so that it is free toslide upon the rod. The hand-lever F is now forced in the oppositedirection, at once tilting the block B, so as to secure a firm bite uponthe rod O, and thereby drawing this rod toward the post d. The pressurecommunicated from the lever F to the rod C through the link G and clutchB counterbalances the backward strain of the rod 0 upon the clutch-blockA and permits it to slide therethrough. As soon as the pressure upon therod through the block B is relieved the bite of the block A upon the rod0 is renewed and the latter is prevented from sliding backwardly.

I have found in practice that the pivotal point of the hand-lever F uponthe block A may be shifted from the position shown in the drawings; butthe most satisfactory results are secured by locating it approximatelyin line with the axis of the draft-rod.

While I have shown a pair of grip-clutches in which the bite or gripupon the draft-rod is secured by tilting the clutch-block, it is obviousthat other forms of clutch-blocks may be used, the invention notrelating to the particular form of clutch, but to the manner ofcombining the clutch blocks or devices with the other parts of themechanism.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination in a wire-stretcher or thelike, of a pair of reciprocating clutchblocks, as A, B, a draft-rodpassing through both blocks, a hand-lever pivoted to one of the blocks,as A, means for securing such block, A, to an anchorage, and linkconnection between the lever and the block B.

2. In a wire-stretcher or the like, a pair of reciprocatingclutch-blocks, as A, B, a draftrod passing through both blocks, ahand-lever pivoted to one of the blocks, as A, means 100 for securingsuch block, A, to an anchorage, ing-clutch and being pivoted to theretainand rigid link connection between the lever ing-clntch, offlexible means for attaching and the block B. the retaining-clutch to ananchorage.

3. In a Wire-stretcher or the like, the com- HARRY A. ROBINSON. 5bination with a draft-rod, a retaining-clutch WVitnesses:

and a drawing-clutch both engaging such rod, LOUIS K. GILLSON,

and a lever for applying power to the draw- HESTER B. BAIRD.

